N ventdr x



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

D. J ENNINGS.

MERRY-GO-ROUND.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

D. JIENNINGS.

MERRY-Go-ROUND.

No. 345,787. Patented July 20, 1886.

v u' u d UNITED 'rATns PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID JENNINGS, OF LYONS, NEW YORK.

MERRY-GO-ROUND.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 345,787, dated July 20, 1886.

Application filed May 3, ,1886.

To all whom it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, DAVID JENNINcs, of Lyons, county of Wayne, in the State of New York, a citizen of the United States, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Merrygo-Rounds, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure lis a sectional elevation of same; Fig. 2, a top plan View of a portion of same; Fig. 3, an inverted plan view of said parts; Fig. 4, an enlarged detail view of drive-wheel and portion of rack-bar. Fig. is an enlarged sectional View of an idler or friction-wheel, and manner of operation, and Fig. 6 shows a modification in that the whole platform rotates by the same style of driving mechanism.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

The object of my invention is to produce a new and improved revolving or rotating pleal sure-carriage of the class or kind `commonly known as merry-gorounds.7

It relates to the improved construction of the different parts of the operating mechanism, of the revolvingplatform or platforms supported upon idlers or friction-rollers, and various other features of novelty, as hereinafter described.

It is constructed as follows: A is a base or foundation, of timber or other material, of circular form, and provided with a step or center-pole seat, a, in the center of the circle. These base-timbers usually radiate from the center and are stayed by cords between their outer ends, and also at points intermediate between the center and outer ends. Upon these base-timbers I secure shorter timbers, b, extending from a point adjacent to the step c outward a short distance, and upon these I lay the joists c, upon which I lay the iioor of the stationary platform d. This platform is circular in form. Upon the extreme outer ends of the foundation I erect the steps B in such manner as to leave an annular circular groove or slotway, e, between them and the platform d. In the center of this way e, and

usually with one upon each of the radial foun' dation-timbers, I secure the bearings or hangers O, between the upright arms of which I mount the bevel-faced idler or friction-wheels Serial No. 200,916. (No model.)

h, each placed upon an axle, as shown in Fig. 5.

D is my revolving platform, consisting of a base, z', of proper width to fit loosely within the way e, and upon this I lay the platformflooring lc, of such width that its edges will overlap the outer edge of the platform d and inner edge of the steps B, or the platform at the top of the steps. Upon the under side of this platform D, and upon the base t', I secure a circular rack-bar, E. This rack-bar consists of rack teeth or cogs mounted upon a base, the inner edge of which is an ordinary flange, while the outer side is widened and beveled downward or outward from about the base of the rack-teeth, thereby creating the beveled track Z, the bevel of which is the same as that of the face of the wheels It.

F is the drive-wheel, provided with cogs to fit the rack-bar E, and which is mounted upon and rotated by the driveshaft m, which shaft lies in a line radial to the general circle of the device, and is connected to the power by any ordinary means. The platform D is placed upon the wheels h and supported by them, the rack-bar cogs meshing with the cogs of the drive-wheel.

H is the center-pole, set in the step a and extending upward, in one piece or more, high enough to form a flagstaff. Upon this centerpole, at the desired height, I place the flanged collar n.

I I are side posts.

L L are joists secured at their inner ends to the collar n and at their outer ends to the posts I, and all radiating from the center-pole; also, the outer ends of these joists or the posts are connected by cords or tie-rods (not shown) in any ordinary manner. These joists are also suitably braced to the center-pole and posts.

N is a canopy or cover, of cloth or canvas, supported in the center by the pole, and at its edge secured to the ends of the joists L.

It is operated as follows: When power is applied to the shaft m, the revolution or rotation of the drive-wheel causes the platform D to revolve, carrying with it the seats, (not shown,)which are erected thereon for the passengers, while the step-platform and also the platform d remain stationary. The edges of this revolving platform fitting rather closely IOO to the platforms on each side of it protect the passengers from danger. As it revolves it also rotates the wheels h, and the beveled faces of the wheels tting against the beveled iiange of the rack-bar E, these two beveled faces meeting each other, overcome entirely all of the outward throw incident to the centrifugal motion created by the revolution of the platform, and thus hold it steady and prevent it from rubbing against the step-platform; also, as I apply my power from the outside to a point adjacent to the circumference of the whole device, I can revolve my platform with comparatively very little power.

I show in the drawings only one revolving platform; but I can construct my machine with two or more concentric revolving platforms, independent of each other, and can rotate them either in the same direction or in opposite directions by simply changing the direction of the motion of the drivewheel; or, if desired, I can construct the platforms d and D all in one and rotate the Whole upon the center-pole as a pivot, or upon a pivot which also supports the center-pole, applying the power as above described.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A merry-go-round consisting of a central stationary platform, d, a revolving platform, D, provided with a rack, E, having a beveled outer trackway, Z, the drivewheel F, the beveled wheels h, and outer stationary platform, B, provided with steps, in combination, substantially as shown and described.

2. The rack-bar E, consisting ofa body provided with an inward flange, a beveled outer trackway, and a central rack, in combination with the drive-wheel F and bevel-faced idlers 71 mounted and operated as described.

3. The rack-bar E, consisting of a body provided with inward iiauge, beveled outer trackway, and central rack mounted beneath the platform, in combination with a drive-wheel and bevel-faced idlers engaging with the rackbar, as described, and the platform, and operating together substantially as described, for the purposes set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 21st day of April, 1886.

A. D. ALLEN, F. WV. BARKER. 

